An ergonomic questionnaire survey on the use of computers in schools.

A questionnaire was sent out to elementary, junior high and high schools in Yokohama and Kawasaki Cities from January to March 1998 regarding the use of personal computers by pupils and students. The survey included the questions that asked how often and in what environment computers are used, whether any instructions are given as to their use, children's working posture, and the effect on health. The results show that most schools are slow to develop instructive programs from the environmental or ergonomic point of view.

Musculoskeletal disorders in visual display unit work: gender and work demands.

In addition to physiologic differences between men and women, differences in pain reporting and medical care-seeking behavior, job assignments and ergonomic exposures (including work in the home), and strategies for performing various physical tasks must be considered.

Musculoskeletal disorders among visual display terminal workers: individual, ergonomic, and work organizational factors.

A number of individual, ergonomic, and organizational factors of presumed importance for the occurrence of musculoskeletal disorders were investigated in a group of 260 visual display terminal (VDT) workers. The cross-sectional study utilized medical and workplace investigations as well as questionnaires. The results were subjected to a multivariate analysis in order to find the major factors associated with various upper-body muscular problems.

The influence of VDT work on musculoskeletal disorders.

Relationships between visual display terminal (VDT) use and musculoskeletal problems were examined in a group of 353 office workers, using data from medical and workplace investigations as well as questionnaires. There were no general differences between VDT and non-VDT users as to the occurrence of muscle problems. Combinations of specific VDT work situations such as data entry work or work with a VDT for more than 20 h/week and the presence of some other factors were, however, associated with excess risks of certain muscle problems.